The National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection
Authority is working to improve its services to businesses and the public on
issuing of import permits.
Representatives of business houses and the public
listen to the NAQIA presentation.Pictures by AARON UFORTY of NAQIA
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Importers of foodstuff and other goods of plants and
animal origin have been advised of proposed changes to come into effect on Jan
1 next year.
NAQIA will provide an option for regular,
large-volume importers to plan and apply for multiple entry permits valid for
up to six months.
A multiple entry permit system will be beneficial to
importers, as it will reduce the number of permit applications and amount of
time spent on lodging numerous applications at nearly the same cost.
NAQIA acting managing director Andrew Yamanea
explained the new system during a meeting with over 50 representatives from
business houses, government and the public last week.
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Yamanea said the roundtable meeting discussed issues
relating to multiple entry permit to imports of food stuff, including groceries
of both plant and animal origin, stock feed, rice, flour, fresh fruits and
vegetables, UHT milk, noodles, malt, frozen meat and poultry products and other
goods of plants and animal origin into PNG, as stipulated under the NAQIA Act
1997, Plant and Disease Control Act, and Animal and Animal Disease Control Act.
Yamanea, who was impressed with the large turnout,
said applications for the permits would be limited to clients who imported a
specific product on a regular or frequent basis, and would only be for the
products that were from a NAQIA-approved source and deemed to be of low bio-security
risks.
He said that due to increase in business activities
in PNG, NAQIA realised that the current system needed to be reviewed to ensure
that it was simpler, there was reduced workload, and payment procedures were
also streamlined.
Currently, some importers are applying for permits
almost every week, meaning that there is a lot of paperwork involved.
NAQIA, in making the changes, wants to cut down on
this workload to enable its staff to concentrate on other important tasks.
Yamanea reiterated during the meeting that NAQIA was
mandated to protect the country from unwanted animal and plant pests and
diseases and therefore the action was in the best interest of the government,
the people and the business sector.
He said PNG was now facing increased business
activities due to the PNG LNG project and other developments and must be
vigilant in its quarantine and protection roles.
The features of the multiple entry permit include: duration
of six months validity; consignments will be subject to normal inspection and
charges for inspection and permit fee shall apply which are inclusive; items
deemed as low bio-security will be considered; and items deemed as high bio-security
will be excluded, such as live organisms of any type, items must be from a
NAQIA-approved source.
NAQIA will have the right to review the
current multiple entry import permit if the health status of the
items changes.
Yamanea said the meeting was successful and he urged
importers and the public with any queries to contact NAQIA office for further
clarification.
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